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Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Phoenix newsletter.

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Thought Bubble

Arizona Diamondbacks surging as they battle for a wild card spot

The D-Backs have surging after losing 9 in a row to start August

Sports

5 must-try local Phoenix ice cream shops

Here are the tastiest spots to grab a frozen treat, according to Axios Phoenix readers.

Food and Drink

Arizona History: Why tubers throw marshmallows in the Salt River and why they must stop

The marshmallow fight tradition dates back at least two decades.

Things to Do

How "golden handcuffs" locked up Phoenix's housing market

Roughly 67% of Arizona homeowners with mortgages have a rate below 4%.

Real Estate

Redevelopment project transforms historic downtown church that burned in 1984

The former First Baptist Church building burned in 1984 and has been vacant ever since.

News

An ambitious project to redevelop a historic abbey that caught fire nearly 40 years ago is coming to fruition and has signed its first tenants.State of play: The project aims to transform downtown&#x27;s historic former First Baptist Church, at Monroe Street and Third Avenue.

An artist's rendering of people gathered in an open tree lined courtyard of a building. 

EVIT is building a residence hall for foster youth

Foster youth will also receive preferential placement at a new onsite charter school.

Education

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), which provides career training courses for Arizona high school students, is building a residence hall for foster youth on its main campus, west of downtown Mesa.State of play: EVIT <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broke ground on the project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.evit.com/about/evit_superintendent/superintendents_updates/may_2023_-_superintendent_s_update" data-vars-content-id="983b4311-fc84-4f72-a94c-50d9640ffaa0" data-vars-headline="EVIT is building a residence hall for foster youth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.evit.com/about/evit_superintendent/superintendents_updates/may_2023_-_superintendent_s_update" target="_blank">broke ground on the project</a> in June. It&#x27;s expected to open next summer.

Axon's Scottsdale apartment proposal accused of "cheating" schools out of funding

Axon wants to build 2,500 apartment units near Loop 101 and Union Hills Drive, which would require a zoning change.

Axon, the billion-dollar Scottsdale corporation that manufactures Tasers and police body cameras, wants to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="build 2,500 apartment units" data-vars-click-url="https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning/projectsummary/applicant_submittals/ProjInfo_13_ZN_2020_2.pdf" data-vars-content-id="50e3732d-7e8b-42c2-8dd8-935c6dba1f8a" data-vars-headline="Axon&#x27;s Scottsdale apartment proposal accused of &quot;cheating&quot; schools out of funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning/projectsummary/applicant_submittals/ProjInfo_13_ZN_2020_2.pdf" target="_blank">build 2,500 apartment units</a> around its new planned headquarters near Loop 101 and Hayden Road as part of a plan to provide convenient housing and commercial amenities for employees.<ul><li>Yes, but: One of the Valley&#x27;s top real estate professionals is accusing the company of skirting state land rules — and shorting education funding in the process.</li></ul>

Illustration of a dollar made out of chalk on a chalkboard being erased

Tempe Streetcar exceeded expectations in first year

Its early success has provided a powerful argument for expansion into Mesa.

In its first year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Tempe Streetcar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/07/07/tempe-streetcar-first-month-ride-success" data-vars-content-id="18fdf400-da47-4fee-98cd-34b47c64c9e2" data-vars-headline="Tempe Streetcar exceeded expectations in first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/07/07/tempe-streetcar-first-month-ride-success" target="_self">the Tempe Streetcar</a> beat ridership expectations and is already on track for expansion.Why it matters: The 3-mile streetcar route has provided a faster way to transport people through the busiest parts of Tempe, and its early success has created a powerful argument for expansion into Mesa.

Tempe and developers plan for Danelle Plaza development agreement by start of December

Developers are still negotiating with other landowners in the plaza.

After a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="year of negotiations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.abc15.com/news/business/tempe-negotiates-with-developers-over-historic-danelle-plaza" data-vars-content-id="3e0182d8-8fa6-4b45-b064-249fc9ad5cdf" data-vars-headline="Tempe and developers plan for Danelle Plaza development agreement by start of December" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.abc15.com/news/business/tempe-negotiates-with-developers-over-historic-danelle-plaza" target="_blank">year of negotiations</a>, the Tempe City Council and the developers who want to revitalize Danelle Plaza intend to have an agreement ready by Dec. 1.Driving the news: The Tempe City Council last week approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a development agreement with Guina Affiliated Developers and Desert Viking Development, which partnered with Rodney Hu, the owner of the plaza&#x27;s historic Yucca Tap Room.

A run down commercial plaza with a parking lot running between two one story buildings. 

Apartments west of downtown Phoenix to offer "quality, attainable housing"

Greenlight Communities is building several similar "Streamliner" complexes around the Valley.

There&#x27;s no shortage of construction in the Valley, and if you&#x27;re like us, you often wonder what&#x27;s going on when you see cranes and bulldozers. So when we see something happening, we set out to find some answers.Driving the news: If you&#x27;ve curious about the cluster of buildings under construction on the northeast corner of 16th and Polk streets, just north of Van Buren, it&#x27;s the future site of an affordable housing project from a company that&#x27;s building similar apartment complexes elsewhere in the Valley.

Mesa gets double Dutch Bros

Last year, the popular coffee company opened a two-lane drive-thru on McKellips Road, 0.2 miles west of its existing single-lane location.

The always-busy Dutch Bros Coffee kiosk at Gilbert and McKellips roads has a new neighbor.<ul><li>Spoiler alert: It&#x27;s another Dutch Bros Coffee kiosk.</li></ul>

A blue building with the words Dutch Bros at the top with two drive through lanes. 

Phoenix breaks ground on project to make Grand Canal grander in Maryvale

The project will add enhancements along the canal between 47th and 75th avenues.

Development

City officials, neighborhood leaders and others gathered Tuesday for the groundbreaking ceremony for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phase 3 of Phoenix&#x27;s Grand Canalscape project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phoenix.gov/Streets/GrandCanal3" data-vars-content-id="0e073617-a009-4a75-aef3-6d3767ba7dd6" data-vars-headline="Phoenix breaks ground on project to make Grand Canal grander in Maryvale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phoenix.gov/Streets/GrandCanal3" target="_blank">Phase 3 of Phoenix&#x27;s Grand Canalscape project</a>, which will improve the waterway in the Maryvale area.Driving the news: The third phase will cover the Grand Canal from 47th Avenue just north of Osborn Road to 75th Avenue and Camelback Road, at the boundary of Glendale.

First look: Culdesac brings car-free living to car-centric Phoenix

There's a waitlist of 600 people who have paid a deposit to live at Culdesac.

In a metro that&#x27;s been called &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sprawling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/UrbanHell/comments/gekq6s/endless_phoenix_sprawl/" data-vars-content-id="43a28fbc-b325-4152-916f-4bd47b4f576a" data-vars-headline="First look: Culdesac brings car-free living to car-centric Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/UrbanHell/comments/gekq6s/endless_phoenix_sprawl/" target="_blank">sprawling</a>,&quot; &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="car-centric" data-vars-click-url="https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/10/27/phoenix-area-spends-more-on-transportation-love-our-cars/" data-vars-content-id="43a28fbc-b325-4152-916f-4bd47b4f576a" data-vars-headline="First look: Culdesac brings car-free living to car-centric Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/10/27/phoenix-area-spends-more-on-transportation-love-our-cars/" target="_blank">car-centric</a>&quot; and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the world&#x27;s least sustainable city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/mar/20/phoenix-least-sustainable-city-survive-water" data-vars-content-id="43a28fbc-b325-4152-916f-4bd47b4f576a" data-vars-headline="First look: Culdesac brings car-free living to car-centric Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/mar/20/phoenix-least-sustainable-city-survive-water" target="_blank">the world&#x27;s least sustainable city</a>,&quot; one new development stands in steadfast defiance.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Culdesac" data-vars-click-url="https://culdesac.com/" data-vars-content-id="43a28fbc-b325-4152-916f-4bd47b4f576a" data-vars-headline="First look: Culdesac brings car-free living to car-centric Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://culdesac.com/" target="_blank">Culdesac</a>, near downtown Tempe, is Arizona&#x27;s first car-free community and it looks and feels entirely different from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dozens of other apartment buildings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/03/21/phoenix-apartments-housing-size-smaller" data-vars-content-id="43a28fbc-b325-4152-916f-4bd47b4f576a" data-vars-headline="First look: Culdesac brings car-free living to car-centric Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/03/21/phoenix-apartments-housing-size-smaller" target="_self">dozens of other apartment buildings</a> springing up across the Valley.

What Arizona will get from the federal infrastructure program

The federal funding is going toward projects to address the drought crisis in the West.

The Biden administration is mapping out the billions of dollars in infrastructure and green technology it muscled through Congress — and much of that is concentrated in the West, Axios&#x27; Hans Nichols <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32195729.89386/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDcvMDYvYmlkZW4taW5mcmFzdHJ1Y3R1cmUtbWFwLXNwZW5kaW5nLXBsYW5zP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGVudmVyJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/62420eff4ccd4d4eb244b52bBf5c54090" data-vars-content-id="d3ce0e32-0707-4836-99c3-980038e55220" data-vars-headline="What Arizona will get from the federal infrastructure program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32195729.89386/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDcvMDYvYmlkZW4taW5mcmFzdHJ1Y3R1cmUtbWFwLXNwZW5kaW5nLXBsYW5zP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGVudmVyJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/62420eff4ccd4d4eb244b52bBf5c54090" target="_blank">reports</a>.Driving the news: Arizona will receive hundreds of millions in new government spending for a series of projects to improve roads, tunnels, bridges and water infrastructure.

Development 🏗️